đľđ Tanagà ⢠poetry form of pre-colonial Philippines
Introduction
TanagĂ , pronounced as /tahâ˘nahâ˘gĂ / is a form of poetry that is indigenous to pre-colonial Philippines.
It is composed of a quatrain (four lines) of seven-syllables each.
The traditional form of tanagĂ follows the AAAA rhyme pattern (all of the last words of its four lines rhyme). The modern forms follow the rhyme forms: AABB, ABAB, ABBA. In some cases, more modern forms follow free-style rhyme patterns: AAAB, BAAA, ABCD. For this series, I will stick with the original and traditional form, just the way my ancestors intended for a tanagĂ should be.
TanagĂ poems are untitled, just like the Japanese Haiku.
These are passed down through generations in the form of oral traditions.
TanagĂ poetry contains Philippine proverbs, moral lessons, ethos, and cultural maxims.
TanagĂ : Una
Since this is my first tanagĂ post on Substack, I just decided to label it âUnaâ (first) to retain the tradition of not giving a title to tanagĂ poems but allowing some form of organization for future entries under this series.
Malayo ka man sa akin Kasama sa isipin, Bukas mo'y, bukas ko rin, Kay hirap mong mahalin.
đŹđ§ đşđ¸ Translation in English below may no longer follow the syllable count and the rhyme pattern, but I will try my best to do so whenever possible.
Although you are far from me, You are here inside my mind, Your tomorrow is mine too, To love you is hard to bear.
I learned from the news this past week that an illegal structure was constructed at the site of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Philippines. The Chocolate Hills is the countryâs only UNESCO Global Geopark. UNESCO Global Geoparks are âsingle, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.â
The rampant corruption and blatant disregard for the environment by the local authorities and the national government make my heart bleed. This week has been difficult. It felt difficult to love a nation who elect leaders that perpetuate a system of corruption⌠again, and again, and again. When will we ever learn, Philippines?
Your Filipino Words for Today
Una, pronounced as /oohâ˘nah/ is a Tagalog word adapted from the Spanish term âunaâ or âoneâ. In Tagalog, the word âunaâ specifically means âfirstâ. The Tagalog word for âoneâ retains the original term âisĂĄâ /eesĂĄh/.
References
de Noceda, Juan; Pedro de San Lucar (1754). Vocabulario de la lengua tagala, trabaxado por varios sugetos doctos y graves. Manila: Imprenta de la CompaĂąĂa de JesĂşs. pp. 324, 440.
"Buhayin ang Tanaga!". Retrieved 16 March 2024.
Policy and practice in karst landscape protection: Bohol, the Philippines
Geotourism: An innovative form of tourism for development in the Philippines
All You Need to Know About the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines
I always learn so much from your posts. Thank you!
Your posts remind me how much I love learning new things! I enjoyed your TanagĂĄ very much. And I am sorry to hear about the building in The Chocolate Hills. Thank you for enlighting us. If the protected places are not sacred, then what will become of the rest of the planet?!